Full form of NSG is National Security Guard. It was established in 1984. It is popularly known as Black Cats. Head Quarter of National Security Guard (NSG) is in New Delhi. M A Ganpathy is currently its DG. Its Motto is Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha. NSG is an elite counter-terrorism unit under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs. The NSG is a Federal Contingency force to deal with anti-terrorist activities. The NSG is a force equipped and trained to deal with the specific situation and is therefore used in exceptional circumstances to thwart serious acts of terrorism. It was established in 1984, NSG is popularly known as the Black Cats. It is an elite striking force in the country trained and equipped to handle situations like a terrorist attack, hijacking, and hostage captivity.

National Security Guard is Federal Contingency World Class Zero Error Force. It has been setup to deal with anti-terrorist activities in all its manifestation.
The NSG is a force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore, to be used only in exceptional circumstances to thwart serious acts of terrorism.
The Ethos of the NSG is premised on the following:

• Pursuit of excellence
• Lead from the front
• Zero Error
• Speed, surprise, stealth, precision and accuracy are its hall marks

It is a Federal Contingency Deployment Force to tackle all facets of terrorism in the country.
The NSG was modelled on the pattern of the SAS of the UK and GSG – 9 of Germany. It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army Personnel and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprising personnel drawn from the Central Para Military Forces/State Police Force. All the personnel are on deputation.
Its personnel are popularly known as The Black Cats commando.
Vision: A world class zero error force.
Mission: Train, Equip and keep in readiness a special force capable of Swiftly and Effectively combating Terrorism to Live up to its motto.
Motto: Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha
The basic philosophy of NSG is Swift and Speedy Strike and immediate withdrawal from the theatre of action. National Security Guard has been given the SPECIFIC ROLE to handle all facets of terrorism in any part of the country as a Federal Contingency Force.
The NSG was modelled on the pattern of the SAS of UK and GSG – 9 of Germany. It is a task-oriented Force and has two complementary elements in the form of Special Action Group (SAG) comprising Army personnel and he Special Ranger Groups (SRG), comprising personnel drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces/State Police Forces.
The NSG operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and led by Director General. An IPS is eligible for this post. The first DG of the NSG was Shri R.T. Nagrani, a 1951 batch officer from Andhra Pradesh Cadre. His tenure was from 17.08.1984 to 25.09.1986

History

In June 1984, a terror attack was conducted by the Damdami Taksal leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers in the buildings of Golden Temple, a holiest site for Sikhs located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. To deal with this terror attack and remove Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala and his followers from the buildings of the temple, Indian Security agencies launched military operation on the order of the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

It is supposed that the KGB (an intelligence agency of the Soviet Union) had already informed to R&AW (Research & Analysis Wing) that Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) and the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) of USA were jointly operating to stir separatist unrest in the Indian State of Punjab.

That’s why, as per the then Vice Chief of the Army Staff, S. K. Sinha, Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi had already authorized military preparations for a confrontation at the temple complex 18 months prior. The codename of this military operation was Operation Blue Star. This operation is called Operation Blue Star – I and had been successful. But, to counter the future possible terror attacks the need of a counter-terrorism organization was felt.

Formation

After facing the casualties in the terror attack in Golden Temple held in June 1984, success of Operation Blue Star – I and to counter the future possible terror attacks, the union cabinet took a decision to create a Federal Contingency Force comprising of personnel who are highly motivated, specially equipped and well trained to tackle the various manifestations of terrorism.

In June 1984, a nucleus consisting of the Director General of NSG and other essential elements were sanctioned and steps were initiated to raise the Force. As a result, NSG was setup on 16 October 1984. But, right now it was an unconstitutional body.

A bill for creation of this organization, the National Security Guard Act 1986, was introduced in the parliament in August 1986 and it got assent of the President of India on 22 September 1986 and the National Security Guard (NSG) formally came into being from that date.
Note: NSG was set up on 16 October 1984 under the National Security Guard Act 1986 came into effect on 22 September 1986.

Role

Primary role of this Force is to combat terrorism in whatever form it may assume in areas where activity of terrorists assumes serious proportions, and the State Police and other Central Police Forces can not cope up with the situation. The Force is not designed to undertake the functions of the State Police forces or other Para Military forces of the Union of India. It was setup for combating terrorist activities and protect states against internal disturbances.

But, after the assassination of the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi on 31st October 1984 by her two Sikh bodyguards Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, the role of the NSG was expanded to provide personal security to influential politicians regardless of the real threat that they face.

Before 2020, NSG was also tasked to security of VIPs. But, in 2020, NSG was withdrawn from this task to focus on its original roles as an elite counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking force. At present, NSG provides Securities mainly to President, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and to former President and Prime Minister for five years after the position.